Common Signs & Symptoms that Indicate You May Need Root Canal

Common Signs & Symptoms that Indicate You May Need Root Canal

January 1, 2023

What is a Root Canal?

The root canal removes infected tissue from the tooth’s pulp chamber and roots. It is done by removing the infected tissue or filling it with a material such as gutta-percha, zinc oxide, or silver amalgam to prevent further infection. It is usually done to save teeth that may be at risk of being lost due to severe decay or injury to the tooth.

The purpose of root canal treatment is to save your tooth from further damage or loss. The dentist numbs the gum tissues and then opens up the tooth using a small instrument called an endodontic file.

Next, the dentist will file to shape and smooth out the inside of the root canals. The endodontist will then pack it with gutta-percha, which helps seal off the canals.

Finally, they will place crowns on top to protect it from breaking down too quickly over time due to other oral bacteria entering through cracks.

What are The Symptoms of a Root Canal?

Here are some common signs and symptoms that indicate you may need root canal treatment:

1) Sensitivity to Hot or Cold

One of the common signs of a root canal infection is tooth sensitivity. This can occur when the nerve in the tooth becomes inflamed or irritated. The irritation can also be caused by bacteria or a foreign object lodged in the tooth.

Tooth sensitivity can also signify other dental problems, such as gum disease or tooth decay. It is crucial to see our dentist in Plano, TX if you experience any tooth sensitivity.

2) Tenderness and Swelling of the Gums near the Infected Tooth

If you have a root canal, several signs can indicate it. The first sign is swelling and tenderness of your gums near the infected tooth. This may be accompanied by pain, bleeding, or even a loss of bone around your teeth (known as gum recession).

3) Pain when Chewing or Biting

You can experience pain in the tooth, face, or jaw. It is often described as aching, throbbing, or sharp. The pain may be constant or intermittent and can be triggered by chewing or biting. Pain can also occur after eating cold foods.

4) An Abscess

The most common sign of a root canal infection is an abscess (or pimple) on your gums. This can result from bacteria accumulating inside your tooth, causing it to become inflamed and swollen.

5) Darkening of the Tooth

Darkening of the tooth is a sign that bacteria have infected your tooth. It indicates that the infection has spread to the pulp, the layer that contains nerve endings. If you have darkening on one or more teeth, you need to seek root canal therapy near you to avoid worsening its condition further by continuing with no treatment.

6) Severe Tooth Pain at Night or While Resting.

If you’re experiencing severe tooth pain that doesn’t go away no matter what you do, it’s likely due to an infection in your mouth. Root canal infection is a common cause of pain, which can spread from one tooth to another over time if not treated quickly enough. If you’re in pain and have any of these symptoms, it’s best to see our root canal dentist in Plano, TX, 75024.

7) Bad Taste in the Mouth

The infection can also cause the release of foul-smelling bacteria from the infected tooth, which can further contribute to a bad taste in your mouth. If you are experiencing a bad taste in your mouth and other symptoms of a root canal infection, see your dentist as soon as possible for treatment.

8) Bad Breath

A root canal infection can cause bad breath because it often disrupts the natural bacteria in your mouth, which are responsible for producing nitric oxide, an important component of saliva that helps neutralize odors from food and bacteria in your mouth. The disruption of these natural bacteria leads to an overgrowth of other bacteria, which produce sulfur compounds that cause bad breath.

Get Root Canal Therapy Near You

Call us or schedule a consultation with Arte Dental today for more information about getting root canal treatment in Plano, TX, and what to expect.

©2025 Arte Dental | Privacy Policy | Web Design, Digital Marketing & SEO By Adit

Call Now Book Now
Click to listen highlighted text!